The topic of sexuality came up when the mother-of-four started discussing her role in the upcoming film Carol, based on the 1952 Patricia Highsmith novel The Price of Salt. The film, set in 1950s New York, is about a female department-store clerk (Rooney Mara) who dreams of a better life and falls for an older, married woman (Blanchett).

Variety

When asked if this was her first turn as a lesbian, Blanchett-- who's married to playwright Andrew Upton -- said with a smile, "On film -- or in real life?"

But when it comes to defining her sexuality, Blanchett rejects any labels. “I never thought about it,” she said, comparing herself to her on-screen character. “I don’t think Carol thought about it.”

As for how she prepared for her new role, she shared that she read "a lot of girl-on-girl books from the period."